A MAN was brutally beaten with a home-made mace as he waited to pick up a pupil from a primary school.

Parents and children watched in horror as the 30-year-old was battered about the head and body by a crazed assailant.

The man suffered two broken arms and a fractured skull in the horrific attack, and is being treated in hospital.

Police said the victim also sustained deep cuts to his head and face during the assault, which happened outside Throston Primary School in Hartlepool, at about 3.30pm yesterday.

The man was sitting in his blue Ford Escort car outside the school when he was attacked by another man with what appeared to be a piece of wood with a chain and ball soldered onto the end.

The victim was initially taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, but was later transferred to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. His condition today is described as stable.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened as the school was finishing, and believe parents could vital clues.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Detective Constable Steve Matthews or Detective Constable Robin Jacobs at Hartlepool CID on (01642) 302126

A 39-year-old local man was arrested shortly after the attack, and is expected to be questioned today.

Det Con Jacobs said: "The investigation is still in its early stages and the man who is in custody has still not been interviewed.

"The man who was assaulted had been waiting to pick up his partner's daughter from the school when the attack happened.

"We don't think the child saw the assault, but there were other people picking kids up and leaving the school at the time and we would appeal for them to come forward to help us."